California Truck Jamboree - News

From The Inside Out

Burn This Mutha DownCal Truck Jam quite literally almost went up in flames this past August 28, 2005. The hills above the famous event caught fire, and the flames began making their way down toward the show vehicles. The show was stopped for about an hour or so, during which the local fire department had enough time to get the fire under control. As they say, the show must go on - and it did. After the show resumed, the burnout contest and Monster Truck crush were there to hold your attention. You couldn't have gotten much more exposure at one event: TV stations such as ESPN, CarTV.com, Adelphia Cable, Fox 11 News, coverage from Argentina and Japan, and every major truck magazine were there to cover the affair. Check out the Jam's Web site for continual updates: www.californiatruckjamboree.com.

GM's Antilock WoesGeneral Motors is recalling 800,000 pickups and SUVs in 14 northern states because corrosion was affecting the antilock braking system, leading to more than 200 low-speed crashes. GM, the world's largest automaker, said the recall involved the '99-'02 model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation in late April 2005 of more than 1.2 million GM pickups and SUVs in 20 states because of questions over the antilock brakes. The investigation is pending. GM spokesman Alan Adler said salt corrosion and road grime can wedge its way into a plastic piece that covers the ABS sensor near the wheel hub. The corrosion leads the sensors to activate the ABS system at speeds of about 4 to 11 mph, requiring a longer stopping distance. The ABS system is generally started at speeds of 15 to 20 mph, Adler said. GM said there have been 228 crashes reported through the end of May 2005, including 10 minor injuries. The recall involves less than 20 percent of the vehicles built during the four model years. The states include: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.

JBM Opens its DoorsJBM Sport Truck Accessories opened its doors for an open house on Saturday, July 30 at its facility in Orange, California. The opportunity to meet your favorite manufacturer as well as check out some of the hottest custom rides was at your disposal. There was food, good weather, and deals to be had by all. The event kicked off at 7:30 in the morning with the hottest cars and trucks from all areas. The manufacturers represented at the show were ATS, Auto Extra's, Cal Truck Jam, Fabtech, Faze Gauges, Grippin', Kodiak, RBP, Reliable, Rock N' Roll Custom Paintworks, T-Rex Billet Grilles, Truck Covers, USA, Westin, Xenon, and X-tang. For more information, contact: (800) 598-5555, www.sporttrucking.com.

Ford RangerlessThe scheduled remake of the Ford Ranger has been put on hold. Although there are yards of vinyl covering crucial styling details in spy photos, the model year '06 only brings a facelift and freshening to the aging Ranger. An all-new Ranger, code-named P273, is now expected to arrive around 2010. There have also been discussions as to whether or not Ford will continue on with the Ranger.

Fast 411* Instead of pushing for major improvements in fuel consumption, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing an 8.5 percent increase in the fuel-efficiency of light trucks over four years. Big guzzlers such as General Motors Corp.'s Hummer H2 would be exempt, at least until 2011.

* Ford Motor Co. estimates it will fire 400 U.S. white-collar employees - the first time in about 30 years the company has forced out professional staff in substantial numbers - as part of a plan to thin its salaried ranks by 2,750 jobs in 2005.

* Nissan is on track to boost annual sales by 1 million vehicles.

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